Round Rock ISD is required to report certain contagious (communicable) diseases or illnesses to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or our local/regional health authority. The school nurse can provide information from DSHS on these notifiable conditions.
The school nurse is available to answer any questions for parents who are concerned about
whether or not their child should stay home.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Get the latest information on the Round Rock ISD COVID-19 website resources page.
Additional Resources:
Texas Department of State Health Services Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Guidance
Monkeypox
Round Rock ISD is working with Travis and Williamson counties as they learn more about monkeypox.
Austin Public Health
Williamson County and Cities Health District page
CDC – Monkeypox
Influenza (flu)
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Influenza is most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.
Symptoms and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Definition:
Influenza usually comes on suddenly, one to four days after the virus enters the body, and may include these symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Muscle or body aches
Tiredness (can be extreme)
Among children, otitis media (ear infection), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. Some infected persons are asymptomatic.
Influenza-like illness, or ILI, is defined as fever ≥100°F AND cough and/or sore throat (in the absence of a known cause other than influenza).
- Prevention:
- Hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or your arm or sleeve
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Avoiding close contact with persons who are ill
- Staying home when you are ill
- Taking antiviral medications if prescribed by your doctor
- Call and inform the school nurse of confirmed flu diagnosis
Resources:
Cold Versus Flu – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Texas Department of State Health Services – Influenza
Pertussis
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After coughing fits, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths, which result in a “whooping” sound. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old.
Call and inform the school nurse of a confirmed Pertussis diagnosis
Resources:
Texas Department of State Health Services – Pertussis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Pertussis
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever.
Call and inform the school nurse of a confirmed Varicella (Chickenpox) diagnosis.
Resources:
Texas Department of State Health Services – Varicella(Chickenpox)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Varicella(Chickenpox)
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling.
Meningitis Information for Students & Parents from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Bacterial Meningitis Texas Department of State Health Services Information
What kinds of meningitis are still reportable?
- Meningitis caused by any ameba
- Meningitis caused by a reportable condition such as Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal meningitis), Streptococcus pyogenes/agalactiae/pneumoniae, varicella, etc.
- Meningitis or encephalitis caused by an arbovirus
- Call and inform the school nurse of a confirmed Meningitis diagnosis.
Note: Entering college students must also, with limited exception, furnish evidence of having received a bacterial meningitis vaccination within the five years prior to enrolling in and attending classes at an institution of higher education. A student waiting to enroll in a dual credit course taken off campus may be subject to this or other vaccination requirements.
Resources:
Texas Department of State Health Services – Meningitis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Meningitis
>> This is not an all-inclusive list of Communicable Diseases. Please see the Communicable Disease Chart for Schools from the Texas Department of State Health Services.